The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) is the professional association representing around 20,000 qualified chartered legal executive lawyers, paralegals and other legal practitioners. Changes in legislation mean that chartered legal executive lawyers are increasingly on a level playing field with solicitors or barristers, as they can now become judges, coroners, advocates and partners in law firms. CILEx is recognised as one of the three professional bodies of the legal profession, alongside the Bar Council (see page 454) and the Law Society (see page 137). A chartered legal executive lawyer specialises in a particular area of law and has trained to the same standard as a solicitor in that area. The difference is that a chartered legal executive is a qualified lawyer who is trained to specialise as an expert in one or two particular areas of the law, whereas solicitors have a broader, more general legal training. Chartered legal executives are able to become judges and partners in law firms. Chartered legal executives can represent their clients in court and become advocates. Chartered legal executives’ rights are on an increasingly level playing field with barristers and solicitors. There are alternative academic routes to becoming a chartered legal executive lawyer. If you don’t have a law degree, you will need to take the traditional CILEx route, which is comprised of the CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice (set at A-level standard) and the CILEx Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice (studied to the same standard as an honours degree). This full CILEx route costs on average around £10,203, depending on where and how you choose to study. This will typically take four years to complete part time and can be completed alongside full-time working. Timescales can be flexible and study can
be tailored according to your personal and professional needs.
If you already have a qualifying law degree, irrespective of when this was achieved, CILEx offers a cost-effective alternative to the LPC or BPTC through its graduate fast- track diploma, which usually takes around a year to complete part time and costs approximately £3,390. Regardless of whether you follow the traditional CILEx route or the graduate fast- track diploma pathway, you will need to complete a three-year period of qualifying employment and submit a portfolio of evidence called work-based learning. Work completed as a paralegal, while studying, may be used towards part of this requirement; a minimum of one year of your qualifying employment needs to fall after you’ve completed your CILEx academic qualification. The last two years of your qualifying employment must be continuous. If you already hold an LPC or BPTC, you will be exempt from all CILEx qualifications and can immediately apply to become a graduate member of CILEx and use the designatory letters ‘GCILEx’.You will still need to complete the qualifying employment requirement. On successful completion of the academic stage and the qualifying employment stage of training, you will become a fellow of the Chartered Institute and have the right to call yourself a chartered legal executive lawyer. CILEx has a network of over 80 accredited study centres in England and Wales that are approved to deliver CILEx courses and quality assured to CILEx standards. CILEx examinations take place twice a year, in January and June, and may be taken at separate examination sittings to suit your plans and study needs. Distance learning is offered through specialist study centres, including at CILEx Law School.
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